While working the punch mitts, my coach John would inspire me with stories of Ali, Dempsey, Robinson, and others. I’d never be a real contender myself, but I was falling in love with the sport of boxing and its history. The day I asked “Hey, were there ever any Jewish boxers?” and coach John smiled and spoke of Benny Leonard, Barney Ross, Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, and countless others, my mouth dropped open. Now I was really hooked; I began an investigation that led to a published book and an enduring fascination with that chapter of America’s immigrant history. 29 year old Junior Welterweight Dmitriy Salita continues the long tradition of Jewish boxers, but that’s not his only distinction. He’s become a galvanizing force in the sport. His sweet nature draws people in, his Orthodox religious practices intrigues us, and now his business aspirations have catapulted him into self-promotion and an upcoming bout at Roseland, NYC, December 16. John Spehar and I spoke with Dmitriy via telephone on WPKN on November 11. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be signed with some of the better companies and promoters in boxing,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from them. Sometimes I would feel that certain things should be done for me; but promoters have a big stable of fighters and everyone’s needs are different. I’m building my own company, tailored to my own needs and the fighters that are on my card.” When looking at a prospect, Dmitiry looks for fighters that have a following, citing television, fan base, and company sponsors as the three main incomes for a boxing event. “I look for someone with a good amateur career, dedication to the craft, and the willingness to put in the work.” For the Roseland fight against Mike Anchondo, Dmitriy will fight at his new welterweight status. “I’ve been a junior welterweight since I was 18 years old. I was ranked highly in the world that way, but it was not in my best interests to be at that weight. Now I’m 28 years old, and I have more strength in my fights, and less weight to lose.” He says he’s more comfortable training at this new weight, noting that while athletes in other sports usually can eat a lot, in boxing, it’s often otherwise. Salita’s rigorous kosher diet can pose certain problems on the road. “When I used to go to training camps like in the Poconos, there is no kosher restaurant, so I’d have to bring my George Foreman Grill, my pots and pans, and my meat from New York City and kind of be my own gourmet chef for a few weeks. I can cook good pasta, steak, chicken – everything but soup. Maybe someday I’ll open a restaurant,” he joked. Most interviewers ask Dmitriy about the defeat in Newcastle, England (see my story, “A Hero’s Loss,” in The Forward.) I was hesitant; I knew he wanted to move on, but I was curious if he did have anything new to say about it. “First of all, in the big picture, you live and you learn. Everything that happens should improve you. This did on many levels. The important thing is to be able to pick yourself up and get back on track. From personal experience I can tell you that is a very hard thing to do. And thank God I was able to that on September 1 (referring to his victory in the “Redemption” fight). But the things that happened to me, being there for ten days, and on fight night, if they happened in America, it would be all over the news, everybody would talk about it. It got swept under the rug. This is not an excuse. I learned a great deal as a fighter. And I moved on a better man.” I admired Dmitiry’s spirit and philosophy, especially for such a young man. “So much about boxing is about that ineffable thing called heart and the courage and ability to get back up and get back in there, which is one of the hardest things to do. It’s a metaphor for living,” I said. Dmitiry agreed. “Absolutely! I think that’s why boxing has so many fans. It mimics life in many ways and that’s really what it is. Thank god that I am alive and healthy and ready to go on! I’m extremely excited about December 16. I expect a sold-out crowd. My opponent is aggressive, pushes the action, and he’s coming motivated to fight. I expect to outbox him, though. Matisyahu will walk me to the ring with a live song, so it’s really going to be an extraordinary event.” We wished Dmitiry Salita the best, and assured him we would be at the fight, screaming the loudest for his victory!
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